Get Involved

Here at Staf we have many ways for people with care experience to get involved.

Youth Justice Voices
If you are aged between 16 and 25 and have experience of the care and justice systems and want to use your experience to make real changes then why not join Youth Just Us. The steering group meets online and in person on Monday evenings and uses creative ways to influence policy and practice change. Click here to find out more.

We are also creating a steering group for care and justice experienced young people in the north east of Scotland. If you would like to find out more please email [email protected]

The Real Toolkit
The Real Toolkit is an online resource created for and by care experienced people and the workforce who support them. We are looking for new members of our advisory group so if you are aged over 16 with care experience then please get in touch with [email protected] You can check out The Real Toolkit here.

Project Return
Project Return is our care experienced group which focuses on issues of overcoming trauma. Although the project is coming to an end soon we are hoping to continue its work. Email [email protected] if you want to find out more.

Cross Party Group
If you are interested in influencing change in the political and policy sphere then why not join the Cross Party Group on Care Leavers. Open to anyone he CPG meets throughout the year and is always looking to have representation from those with care experience.

If you would like to become a member of the Cross Party Group please email [email protected]

The National Leadership Network (NLN)
Staf is the lead host of the NLN, working alongside our partners at Who Cares? Scotland, Columba 1400, Children and Young People's Centre for Justice (CYCJ) and the Resilience Learning Partnership and the NLN team which is funded by the Life Changes Trust legacy. The NLN is led by the advisory group of care experienced people and focuses on providing opportunities for those with care experienced aged 14+. They are often looking for individuals who want to join this exciting project which focuses on leadership, in all its guises, and providing opportunities for care experienced people to learn new skills, make new connections and take ownership of their lives. Click here to find out more or email [email protected]

Latest

Trauma informed practice roadmap published

The National Trauma Transformation Programme has designed a new roadmap to help services and organisations identify and reflect on progress, strengths and opportunities for embedding a trauma-informed and responsive approach across policy and practice.
Resources from Staf National Conference 2023

On Wednesday 22 November members and partners alongside care experienced young people, attended our National Conference as we look to move beyond Plan 21 - 24.
Sign up to the 100 Days of Listening

Want to share your views on what's needed to deliver the promise for young people transitioning to adulthood? Then sign up to take part in the 100 Days of Listening.
Participation Practitioner's Forum

Thursday 25th January 2024 | 10am - 11.30am | Online (Zoom)

Trustee times

Board member, Simone Smith, who is stepping down from her role after 6 years, shares what it's been like to be part of Staf's Trustee team.
Christmas ad with a difference

Youth Just Us member Bella reflects on the adverts of Christmas past and present, what it feels like to be care experienced at the 'most wonderful time of the year' and her message to care experienced children and young people.
Changes to the Real Toolkit, why and why it is important.

We've made some changes to the Real Toolkit. Project Worker Katrina explains what they are and why they were introduced.
Creating a sense of Home and Belonging for young people with care experience as they move into their own home

Staf CEO Jo Derrick shares her thoughts on the Home and Belonging evaluation carried out by Children in Scotland and Staf
The Real Toolkit is 1

The Real Toolkit has reached its first birthday! Project lead, Katrina Gallagher shares her thoughts on the past year and thanks all those who have made the Toolkit what it is.
Be Part of Youth Just Us

We're looking for new members of Youth Just Us. Find out more about what being involved means and the many opportunities available.
Youth Justice Voices response to Children's Care and Justice Bill

A small number of care and justice experienced young people from Youth Just Us and Inside Out responded to the Children's Care and Justice Bill. We share a summary of their views.
Youth Just Us Mural Trail

Youth Just Us were treated to a private tour of the Yard Works Festival 22 murals at SWG3. Check out some of the amazing artwork in our gallery.
The Response to the Independent Review of Children's Social Care in England

The eagerly awaited Independent Review of Children's Care in England has received a mixed response. In this article we've selected a wide range of thoughts, both glowing and not so glowing.
The Response to the Independent Review of Children's Social Care in England

The eagerly awaited Independent Review of Children's Care in England has received a mixed response. In this article we've selected a wide range of thoughts, both glowing and not so glowing.

Young Funder's Grant

Applications for the Young Funder's Grant are now closed. Alternative sources of funding are included here.
The Promise explained: what the Care Review means for the workforce

Scotland’s Independent Care Review has published its final conclusions. Five reports have been published and the main report ‘The Promise’ runs to 124 pages. To keep our members informed, we will set out the conclusions in a series of brief summaries.
Relationship Based Practice: What does it really look like?

Mary Glasgow facilitated one of our workshops at our Annual Conference 2017, setting out the principles of a restorative, child-centred and family-minded approach that aims to mitigate the effect of Adverse Childhood Experiences. Find out more and download Mary's presentation.
Grants of up to £750 available to care experienced young people

We are delighted to announce our Young Funder's Grant is now open for applications.
Local Elections 2022: Manifesto Round-Up

A look at the five main parties and their manifestos heading into the local elections 2022
Get Involved

Here at Staf we have many ways for people with care experience to get involved.
Our history

Find out more about Staf's history, and the exciting work we are undertaking today.
Financial Support for Care Leavers
GIRFEC: A Guide to Getting it Right for Every Child

GIRFEC (or Getting it Right for Every Child) is the national approach in Scotland to improving outcomes and supporting the wellbeing of our children and young people by offering the right help at the right time for the right people. Find out more about the GIRFEC approach.
Shannon's Box

Created by Shannon when in role as our Youth Facilitator, Shannon's Box is designed to make entering care a little easier for children and young people. Find out more about this project.